Post office could deliver services in new location

Published:11:34Wednesday 19 November 2014

The Post Office is proposing to move Ballater Post Office from its current location to create a modern branch with extended opening hours.

Post Office local is a new concept for delivering Post Office services with Post Office products and services available from an open-plan till at the retail counter that is open throughout shop opening hours, instead of from a screened counter.

The proposed new location for the branch is the Co-op, 4 Golf Road, Ballater. This is 150 metres from its current site at Netherley Place, Ballater.

The Post Office is now inviting customers and interested parties to give their comments on the move in a six-week public consultation.

Should the move go ahead, the branch would open from 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday. This would be 59 hours a week more than are currently offered.

The proposed move is part of major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments.

Sheila McCann Post Office Regional Manager said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Ballater and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future.”

A similar move has already taken place in Royal Deeside, with positive results.

Cllr Geva Blackett said: “This worked extremely well in Braemar and as long as a full range of services designed to support community needs is provided I think this will, in the long term, be a sustainable way of keeping post office services in our local community.”

During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on the proposal.

The consultation period has been extended by 10 days to take into account the Christmas holiday period.

Ballater residents can submit comments on the proposal until January 12 2015. Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.